The first 46 chapters of the book of Jeremiah is, for the most part, an oracle against Judah. The Lord delivers shorter oracles, or judgments, against seven other nations from Jeremiah chapter 47 through 51. Jeremiah's objective is to inform Judah that they will suffer at the hands of God through the Babylonians (Jeremiah 25:8-9). Judah was in sin and God would move them to repentance by violent plagues (Jeremiah 51:35). Judah is confused; however, and repeatedly asks, "Why is God doing this to us?" (See Jeremiah 16:10) Judah's mind had come to be so hardened against God that they were inflexible to God's divine instructions through the prophets (Jeremiah 2:29-30). The people of God were to learn, through the University of Hard Knocks, that it is not their place to direct their own steps (Jeremiah 10:23).